| |||||||||
|
NEWS RELEASE July 24, 2009 Forest Service swamped with public opposition to ATV and snowmobile trailhead
on Snowy Range Scenic Byway
Laramie — Results are in on the Forest Service’s Snowy Range Scenic Byway with an overwhelming majority of the comments received opposing locating a 10-acre snowmobile and all-terrain vehicle (ATV) parking lot at the historic Green Rock Picnic Area or anywhere along the Scenic Byway. The twenty-seven mile stretch of Highway 130 is a world class Scenic Byway and was first designated as a National Forest Scenic Byway in 1988. Wyoming adopted the same stretch of highway as a State Scenic Highway in 1995. The Forest Service says the project is needed to “protect the intrinsic qualities of the byway, improve visitor experiences, increase public understanding of the natural and cultural history of the Forest and the historic byway, balance conservation with tourism development, and improve public safety along the byway.” Duane Short, of Laramie-based Biodiversity Conservation Alliance, said “the proposed project would not meet the stated need but instead diminish the Scenic Byway’s natural qualities, ruin many visitors’ experiences, and do little—if anything—to increase public understanding of the Byway’s natural and cultural history. Encouraging even more noisy and destructive motorized recreation along the Scenic Byway would further destroy the Snowy Range’s fragile alpine landscape and wildlife habitat, and bring a bitter end to, generations old, traditions of non-motorized visitors.” Wyoming Game and Fish comments listed numerous concerns about the project’s overall negative impacts on wildlife including those caused by the proposed parking lot at Green Rock, inside the Snowy Range Inventoried Roadless Area. Their wildlife concerns include but are not limited to Sheep Mountain mule deer, Snowy Range elk and moose, blue grouse, Northern goshawk, snowshoe hare, American dipper, boreal owl, pine marten, and white-tailed Ptarmigan. Over 90 percent of the 257 comments received by the Forest Service highlight problems with out-of-control snowmobile and all-terrain vehicle use that is already negatively impacting local families and tourists that value the peace and quiet they expect along any mountain scenic byway. In his written comments, Laramie resident Mark Ritchie said, “I’ve been using these areas for hiking and backpacking for forty years and have never seen the Forest Service patrol this area. You [the Forest Service] and I both know abuse will occur and enforcement is very difficult. A parking lot only encourages this type of abuse.” Katie Johnson of Laramie stated in her comments, “I am a 69 year old resident of Wyoming. I try to understand things that change—but I don’t understand the destruction of our pristine mountains for the use of adult toys.” In her comments, Carol Campbell of Cheyenne explained, “We own an ATV but have never ridden in the Snowy Range for fear of riding somewhere where we might do damage to the forest. It’s nice to get out of Cheyenne and be able to go somewhere quiet and enjoy nature.” James Mayer from Georgia wrote, “I visit Wyoming regularly, including the Snowy Range, and can assure you that more motorized access to pristine areas is not necessary and would be destructive both to the natural environment and to quiet recreation enjoyed by so many people such as myself, my family, and my friends.” The Snowy Range Scenic Byway is a special place for many reasons. It’s breathtaking views are rare. The Snowies provide hikers, skiers, photographers, wildlife watchers and many other visitors unsurpassed quiet outdoor experiences and memories. The Byway’s alpine landscape attracts and supports fascinating wildlife, ranging from the tiny rabbit-like pika to elk, bear, and massive moose. Colorful warblers, mountain bluebirds and many other songbirds entertain visitors as they scan the Snowy Range’s vast scenic panoramas. Hawks and bald eagles soar above inspiring Snowy Range landscapes and across some of the clearest and bluest skies found anywhere. Peggy La Point said, “I was born and raised in Laramie and return twice a year to visit my family and ‘my’ Snowy Range. Every year we are unable to enjoy one more of our favorite sites because it has been destroyed by ATVs or snow machines.” She added, “My family has picnicked there for decades in the summer. It is a place so special to my family that my father’s ashes are scattered there.” Duane Short added, “The Forest Service solution to ATV and snowmobile problems along the Scenic Byway is to abandon its plan, one that encourages even more motorized recreation mayhem. If the Service decides it must encourage even more ATV and snowmobile noise and destruction it should do so along Highway 230 near the Colorado border, away from the Scenic Byway’s fragile landscape.” The Forest Service must now consider public comments as the agency determines if and how it will move forward with its proposed activities along the Scenic Byway. Updates on the Scenic Byway project can be followed on the Biodiversity Conservation Alliance website at www.voiceforthewild.org.
Contact information:
|
|||||||||
Biodiversity Conservation Alliance P.O. Box 1512, Laramie, WY 82073 (307) 742-7978 - carmi@voiceforthewild.org |